Conserving Your Land Table of Contents Introduction 3 Land Conservation Options 4 What is a Conservation Easement? 6 Elements of a Conservation Easement 8 Donating a Conservation Easement 12 Donating Land 19 Rattlesnake Island, Alton 2 Introduction The Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT) is an independent, nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to the permanent protection, stewardship, and respectful use of lands that define the character of the region and its quality of life. Founded in 1979 to conserve the natural heritage of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, our conservation and stewardship work preserves community character, conserves critical wildlife habitat and diverse ecosystems, protects natural landmarks and scenic landscapes, and provides outdoor recreation opportunities for people of all ages. Together with our dedicated community of supporters, we have conserved more than 150 properties totaling over 27,000 acres. These conserved lands encompass many of the special places that define this unique and spectacular part of New England, affording everyone abundant opportunities to explore and connect with the natural world and establishing a legacy of conservation for our children and grandchildren to inherit and enjoy. LRCT works in the 32-town Lakes Region of central New Hampshire as defined by the Lakes Region Planning Commission. LRCT’s focus area also includes the portion of any neighboring municipality containing an extension of a geographic feature, such as a lake, watershed, ridgeline, mountain range. This region includes the towns around six of the ten largest lakes in New Hampshire: • Lake Winnipesaukee • Squam Lake • Lake Winnisquam • Newfound Lake • Ossipee Lake • Lake Wentworth Lakes Region Conservation Trust PO Box 766, 156 Dane Road Center Harbor, NH 03226 603-253-3301
[email protected] lrct.org 3 Land Conservation Options The Lakes Region Conservation Trust works with landowners and local volunteers to protect land with significant conservation value.